Memorial Day is the unofficial time to wrap up spring and usher in summer. It’s my absolute favorite time!

It’s a time to stop and remember those who sacrificed for our freedom and that’s very important to me to teach our kids.

And it doesn’t hurt that it comes at the most beautiful time of year in my mind.

Warm weather is everything to me. Okay, add great food in there. And my family.

Put all of those together? Perfection.

This Memorial Day, let’s all take advantage of the time we have to be outside, enjoy some steaks at a cookout and welcome summer!

Here are my tips for making this holiday celebration one for the record books:

1. Make everything you can ahead of time. Bake a dessert the day before. And plan ahead.
2. Get your steak recipes in order beforehand. Try something new. Ribeye steaks are my favorite.
3. Need a refresher on how to grill a steak? The right way? Read these tips to ensure everything goes smoothly.
4. Try serving that delicious food on colorful plates. Melamine works great. It’s MADE for outdoors. And steaks look fantastic served on wooden boards. Make it special and different and it’ll be a cookout to remember.
5. Beverage dispensers are a great idea for a crowd. Not only are they beautiful to look at – they’re self service! Try floating fruit in water or refreshing juice.
6. Put your “relaxed hat” on. We have lots of “hats” around our house that I ask my family to wear at times – patience hat, kindness hat, helpful hat. This cookout requires the relaxed hat. Wear it and all the other hats will come into play, too!

Plan to have a great time at your cookout and undoubtedly you will. Work ahead of time and this will be a sizzling Memorial Day to remember!

Does your mom make sure you’re fed every day of your life? Or, if you’re of the age when you no longer live with her, did she cook for you when you were a child? Does she cook every holiday? Every Sunday? Every time you see her?

You know, Mother’s Day is coming up and – seriously – Mom just wants to be fed for once. And fed well.

I know this for a fact.

Speaking as a mother who is constantly amazed that the people in my house insist upon eating three times a day with snacks in between, it’s a constant, never-ending job that weighs heavily on a mother. Feeding hungry people every single day is a big job. And it requires a lot of work and planning and preparation. You know, in between all the other amazing feats of organization and flair and love Mom is supposed to perform. (She does it lovingly, I promise.)

Now, there are meals I absolutely love preparing. But that requires time – something a busy mother has very little of. So when’s it’s Mother’s Day I want to be taken care of.

For. Just. One. Day.

Actually. Just. One. Meal. Would. Be. Good.

So if your mom is like me, get working on a Mother’s Day meal of – say – filet mignon, twice baked potatoes and red velvet cake. Not to be too specific or anything. But that’s what I would want.

Now, don’t ask her how to season a steak or where she keeps the steak recipes. Work this all out beforehand. On your own. Research it. Plan it out. And use these recipes and tips to help you.

She will adore you for doing this for her. And it will make her feel loved and appreciated. And isn’t that what Mother’s Day is all about?

Really, it’s ALL she wants for Mother’s Day. Bon appetit!

Are you still coming down from that holiday high?

I am. I love spending special time with my family, unwinding and just being together – especially around the dinner table.

Oh, and let’s not forget the eating. I’m always thinking about the eating. Even when the eating is over.

Think about this:  Easter dinner was wonderful. Your spiral ham was a big success. Everyone stuffed themselves, enjoyed the day and all the dishes are clean.

You took the time to lovingly plan out the meal, put the ham in the oven, prepare the side dishes, set the table just right and time it so all the warm dishes were warm and the cold dishes were cold.

Bravo!

Now that that’s done, what do we do with all those Easter leftovers in the refrigerator in the wake of a great meal?

Isn’t this always the post-holiday dilemma?

I say turn those leftovers into their own incredible meals! It can be done.

Create your own leftover recipes for spiral ham omelettes, ham soup or whatever other creative ideas you can conjure.

Did you finish all of your amazing side dishes? Get them in on the act as well! Don’t let gourmet mac and cheese go to waste! There’s still time to enjoy its delicious, cheesy goodness.

Try this delicious Ham and Beans recipe for something exciting and different to do with your ham leftovers. It’s ham. It’s beans. It’s Rotel. It’s amazing. Try it!

Seriously, with all your ham leftovers you can make yummy dishes for breakfast, lunch AND dinner this week. You’ve got ham sandwiches, eggs and ham, even ham casserole.

There are so many options, you might actually find yourself a bit sad when all the ham leftovers are gone. But don’t worry, you can always order another spiral ham and start all over!